Question

What type of bonding helps in stabilizing the α−helix structure of proteins?

Answer 1

Hint: To solve this question, we use the basic theory related to the protein and its various structures. As we know protein has primary as well as secondary structure, which are given by different scientists. In which carbon and oxygen atoms are connected in a long chain pattern.

Complete step-by-step answer:

The basic structure of a protein which describes the sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain in the sequence. And its structure is held together by peptide bonds which are made during the process of protein biosynthesis.
Or we simply say it refers to the amino acid sequence of a protein, its relationship with other proteins with similar physiological roles.
The most common type of secondary structure in protein structure is the α-helix. Linus Pauling was the first person to predict the existence of α-helices configuration. The prediction was confirmed when the first 3D (3-dimensional structure) of a protein, myoglobin (by Max Perutz and John Kendrew) was determined by X-ray crystallography. And This type of representation of a protein structure is called “sticks representation”.
Hydrogen bonds stabilize the alpha-helix structure of protein. The alpha-helix (α-helix) is a common motif in the alpha helices secondary structure of proteins and is a right spiral conformation (helix) in which every backbone N−H group donates a hydrogen bond to the backbone C=O group to the amino acid.
Therefore, Hydrogen bonding is the intermolecular bonding which helps us in stabilizing the alpha-helix structure of proteins. And H bonds are formed between -NH- of amino acid and C = O of the adjacent turn of helix.
Thus, we conclude that the Hydrogen bonding is the intermolecular bonding in the structure of its secondary structure.

Note- H-bond also plays a very crucial role in proteins' structure because it stabilizes the secondary, tertiary as well as quaternary structure of proteins which are formed by alpha helix, beta sheets, turns and loops. The hydrogen-bond connects the amino acids between various polypeptide chains in the structure of proteins.